The fifth edition of the Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation taekwondo training workshop has begun in the Nigerian capital of Abuja ©CCSF

The fifth edition of the Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) taekwondo training workshop has begun in the Nigerian capital Abuja, aimed at preparing young athletes for the physical, mental and psychological rigours of the sport. 

The three-day programme will see a total of 40 athletes under the age of 20, drawn from schools and clubs across the country, take part in a variety of exercise sessions.

These include physical fitness training, as well as tactical and technical sessions, where participants will be taught contemporary training methods and techniques using the latest equipment.

Special inspirational sessions will also be conducted during the programme, allowing for interactions between the young participants and two iconic taekwondo figures in Nigeria - 2014 Commonwealth gold medallist, Josephine Esuku and three-time Nigerian University Games Association gold medallist, Alhaji Sani Lawal.

The CCSF, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) dedicated to the empowerment of youths through the taekwondo, is headed by Chika Chukwumerije, an Olympic bronze medallist in the over 80 kilogram category at Beijing 2008.

As the programme’s technical coordinator, Chukwumerije, who holds a Master of Science (MSc) in operations and supply chain management, and organises taekwondo events, will hold an event management course to expand the knowledge base and soft skills of the participants.

The CCSF is headed Chika Chukwumerije, Chika Chukwumerije, who won a bronze medal in taekwondo at Beijing 2008
The CCSF is headed by Chika Chukwumerije, an Olympic bronze medallist at Beijing 2008 ©Getty Images

“The programme is specifically designed to complement the fantastic work being done by coaches all across the country in raising young athletes, by increasing the technical and tactical knowledge of participants,” said chief programme host, Tony Anafulu, a Board member of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), representing the North Central Zone, and joint-partner in the CCSF-driven project.

Co-programme host Ado Umar, also a Board member of the NTF, representing the North East Zone, added: “With most of the participants to come from school and university settings, a critical objective of the programme will be to ingrain in young upcoming taekwondo athletes the importance of combining sports and education.”

Past participants of the event include 2014 Commonwealth gold medallists, Isah Abubakar Adamu and Shola Olowookere.

“The most important thing is to keep engaging these young ones, and exposing them so as to develop the wonderful talents they have, and most importantly starting to treat them now like the champions we know they are,” added Chukwumerije.


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